Starting device for explosive-engines.



L. G. VAN RIPBR. STARTING DEVICE FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLIUATION FILED HAY28.1912. 1,1 04,087, Patented July 21, 1914 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

L. G. VAN RIPER.

STARTING DEVICE FOR BXPLDSIVB ENGINES.

APPLIGATION TILED MAY 28, 1912.

Patented July 21, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHB-T 2.

LEWIS G. VAN BIPER,

Specification of Letters Patent.

9 NEW QBK, N- r STAE' FDR EXlMEIYE ENQINES- Patented July 21, 1914.

Application flied May 28, 1912. S rial No. 900.233.

To a]!- w/mm it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Lewis G. VAN RIPE-R, a citizen of the United States, residin at New York city, in the countyof New ork and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Starting Devices for Explosive-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to starting mechanism suitable for starting explosive engines, andhas for its object to provide a starting device which will be certain and reliable in its action, which will not produce any undesirable jur upon the engine or associated mechanisms, and which is capable of repeated operations without delays or any manual readjustment of the parts in case the eninc, for any reason, does not respond to the first starting impulse.

A further object of the invention is to provide a starting device operated preferably but not necessarily by the e-xploslon of the gas capable of exerting sufiicient explosive force for the work required without compression in which a separate 'motor is used operating. upon the engine Shaft, or some other rotatable element connected with the en ine, instead of employing the device-hereto Ore tried and found objectionable, of introducing the gas into one or more of the cylinders of the engine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a starting device adapted to 0 rate upon a cranking shaft and oonnecte with said shaft in such manner that the engine may be cranked in the ordinary way if need be, for example, if the supply of gas or gas producing material used in the starter become exhausted.

The invention has for a further object to;

B designates what may be termed the starter shaft which carries the clutch member C adapted to couple shafts A and B together.

D designates a cylinder element which is rotatably mounted on the stationar support or'braeket E, and F a piston e ement together a D, these two elements providing the explosion closed chamber G in which takes place.

H is a spring secured at one end to the stationary bracket and at the other end to the piston element F. Any suitable means may be employed for introducin the explosive into chamber G and igmtin the same. I have shown a fiexible' tube a for introducing an explosive gas through the head of the piston into the explosive chamber, the tube being provided with a valve K.

L designates a spark plu I struction, the circuit of w ich is closed by the maker and breaker M. The c linder element D is coupled to the starter s aftB by any suitable form of clutch which will cause these parts to be engaged when the cylinder D receives the rota starting imulse but which will allow s aftB to run roe from the cvlinder as soon as the engine is started. Mechanism is interposed between the piston element F and the cylinder element D which converts the linear movement of the former, caused by the explosion in chamber G, into rotary movement in the latter. The explosion takes place against the tension of spring H so that the danger l of injury to the )arts by the shock of the explosion is avoi Preferably the piston and cylinder are so related that as the spring 5H carries the piston back to its initial osition it continues in the same di ection the r0- tar-y movement ofthe cylinder initiated by the outward movement ot the piston.

The mechanisms and devices for accomof ordinary con Fig. 5, i

- which telescopes over the cylinder element plishing the above stated results will now be described in detail. The cylindrical portion of the piston element F has pivoted on its inner surface a cam follower 10 which is adapted to run in the cam slots 11 and 12 formed on the outer surface of the cylinder D. The cam slots 11 and 12 intersect at each end. \Vhen the explosion takes place the follower 10 moves along the cam slot 11 in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 6:) which engagement rotates the cylinder. The outer end of the slot it has a curve or switch 13 which causes the follower 10 to be turned on its pivot and alincd with slot 12. The contraction of the spring H draws the follower through the slot 12 in the direction of the arrows (Fig. t3) which continues the retation of the cylinder in the same direction. The inner end of slot 12 has the switch 14, which alines the follower 10 with slot 11 in readiness for a new starting operation.

The burnt gas exhausts from the explosion chamber (l in the following manner: The cylinder D has a port in which is covered by the slide valve 1H until the piston F approaches its outmost position. Then the disk 1? on the end of a rod 18 secured in the head ltl of a piston F, engages with the ring JO formed on the slide valve 16 and moves the slide until a port 21 regis ters with the port 15 in the cylinder. The slide remains in the same position until the disk 17. on the return movement of the piston, engages with a ring 22 on the inner end of the slide and forces the slide back to its initial position. .lrcferably the slide 16 rotates with the cylinder and to insure this the slide is formed with a longitudinal slot lti and the cylinder with a pin 15.

l preferably employ a. clutch for couplin the rotating cylinder i) to the starter shaft 15 which clutch is: construrted on the principle of the familiar coaster brake. The head 23 of the cylinder l) bears against a collar ii on the starter shaft B. On the head of the cylinder a circular flange 25 which has a rotatable bearing in the support E. Preferably hall bearings 26 are em ployed to reduce friction. Within. and secured to the flanged portion '25 of the cylinder, is a ring 28 formed with the tapered recesses 29 (Fig. l) to receive the balls 30, which latter bear against the disk 31 secured to the shaft B. \Vhen a rotary movement is given to the cylinder D and to the ring 28 in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 4, the shaft is clutched to the cylinder. As soon. however, as power is applied to the shaft, that is, when the engine starts up, it carries the balls into the enlarged ends of recesses 29 and the shaft runs free from the cylinder.

The shaft B is coupled with and uncoupled from the engine shaft A preferably by automatic mechanism constructed as follows: The clutch member (l is for'iied with slots 31" through which extend pins 32 on shaft B. A spiral. spring 233 bears against the boss 34 with a prcssurp which carries the teeth 35 on the movable clutch member t. into engagement with the teeth Elli on shaft A when the member (:1 is free to move. Normally the member C is restrained and held out of engagement with the engine shaft A by means of the lovers 37 which are pivoted in the stationary support E, one end 38 of each lever bearing against the boss :34, and the other end 39 on the extreme end of piston F. As soon as the explosion takes place the piston F is moved out of engagement with the ends 39 of the levers and the spring 33 operates to clutch shaft B to the engine shaft A. The end of the piston F is formed with a cam surface 40' which comes against the cam faces 40 on the levers 37 when the piston is returned to its initial position, causing the lovers 3T to be rocked and the engagement between shafts A and B destroyed.

In order that the engine may be cranked in the ordinary manner, in case, for example, the supply of the explosive gas should be exhausted, .I have devised the following described arrangements: The starting shaft B has a. squared end 42 whichnormally bears againsta plug 43 in the end of the piston head 19, this engagement being such as to hold the piston a trifle away from the flanged portion 25 of the cylinder D. If it is found necessary to crank the machine by hand the plug 43 is removed and this allows the spring H to force the piston F in a direction toward the support E and the ends 31) of levers 37 into slots 44 in the piston F permitting the spring 33 to force the clutch member 0 into engagement with shaft A. A crank can then be inserted into the opening in the head 19 of the piston and engaged with the squared end 42 of the starting shaft B.

The operation of the device will be ap parent from the above description. To resume, when the expansible or explosive gas. preferably acetylene gas, is introduced into the explosion or com ression chamber (l through the tube J and t e charge ignited by means of the spark plug L, the piston member F will be forced outwardly, that is, to the right in Fig. 1, and the follower 10,

by engagement with the cam slot 11 on the cylinder D will rotate the cylinder. The cylinder when rotated in this direction is coupled, by means of the coaster brake clutch described, to the starting shaft B. As soon as the piston F has moved from its normal position the movable clutch member C on the starting shaft B is forced by means of its spring 33 into en agement with the clutch teeth on the sha A. Therefore a starting impulse is given to shaft A. This pose to-provide a starting mec rotational impulse is continued in the same x direction bythe engagement of the follower The return of the pistonuncouples the starter shaft B i' rom shaft A, but incase the engine should get a start before this uncoupling is efiiected, no damage will be done because of-the interposition of the coaster brake clutch between the cylinderand starting shaft B. The waste gases exhaust through ports 21,15, which are brought into and out of register automatically by the 'movement of the piston F.

The spring H servesnot =only to return the piston element to its original position but also cushions the sameagainst the explosion which produces its out+stroke.- In the preferred arrangement= of the spring shown the outwardmovement of the piston element is exerted against the torsional stress ofthe spring aswell as itscompressive force so that there will be a slight turning of the piston element as it moves outwardly which, however, causes no loss of power as there will-necessarily be a reverse rotational movement of the same amplitude on 'the return of tho pistomelemnnt to its original position. The-torsional stress of the spring against the piston el ment? there fore cushions theelement as well asthelongitudinal stress.

While I have described my invention in a certain preferredembodiment, it will be readily understood that-modifications might :be made without departure from the invention. -Hence I donot wish to.-limit myself to the particulars described and claimed except so far as the same are made limitations specifically in certain claims herein. For instance, in place of *using an explosive charge in the cylinder it may be operated by compressed air or by some'mechanical or manual means. The means forintroducing the gas into the-explosion chamber G and the means for producing the igniting spark are shown diagrammatically. Any suitable mechanism, and there are several such mechanisms nowavaila-ble may be used for accom lishing these operations.

y inventionhas had for a s ecific puriianisnr for the gasolene engine of an automobile and as automobilesfrequently carry a supply of acetylene as for lighting purposes, the particular em odiment of the invention herein shown and described provides for the use of acetylene gas to give, when ignited and exploded, the outward impulse to what has been termed the piston element. It will be readily understood, however, that any other suitable explosive or expansible fluid might be used for this purpose. In fact, in its broader aspect myinvention is not limited ment of this initially moved element of the with a rotatab gitudinally movable piston element, which to the movement of the longitudinally moving element by the agency of the expansibility of a fluid or gas as other means i or producing the forward or outward movemechanism could be readily devised.

I do not claim herein the explosive engine which forms a part of the starting mcchw nismdisclosed in this application; the engine, as such, being the subject matter of a; divisional application filed Apr. 28, 1918 Serial No. 764,078.

I claim:

1. The combination with an engine shaft, of starting mechanism for the same com- 'prising a rotatable cylinder element, a longitudinally movable piston element, which elements together provide an explosion chamber, means for introducing an explosive into said explosion chamber, means for; 35 igniting the same, one element being formed with a cam slot and the other being provided with a*follower which moves in said cam slot whereby the longitudinal movement of-the piston element imparts a I'Ottlt-i jug-movement to'the cylinder element, a

spring against the tension of which the ex- *PIJOSlO'n takesiplace, and means operated by the longitudinalmovement of the piston element 'foroonnectmg and disconnectmg the.

cylinder element to said engine shaft.

2. The combination with an engine shaft having a clutch member, of a starting shaft,

a clutch memberwhich is movable on said starting shaftm. rotatable cylinder element, a longitudinally movable piston element, which elements form together an explosion chamber, means for introducin an explosive into said chamber, means for igniting the same, a spring against the tension o which the Eli-M plosion takes place, one of said elements bemg formed with a cam slot and the other wvith a'follower which moves in said cam slot, and means actuated by the movement of one of said elements for causing said movable clutch member to be engaged with and-disconnected from+the clutch member on the engine shaft.

3. In startin mechanism the combination fie cylinder element, of a 1011- elements togethezw provide an explosion chamber, means for introducing an explosive into said explosion chamber, means for igniting the same, one element being formed with communicatingcam slots angularly arranged one to another and the other being provided with a follower which moves in said cam slots whereby the longitudinal movements of the piston element in opposite directions imparts a rotating movement in onedirection to the cylinder element, a starting shaft, and means for coupling the cylinder element to said starting shaft, one end of said-starting shaft having a suitable (H154 sertioifll o "ati n for a crank, substantial; 1rd.

l, in st llllSlll the combination With irons "tinder element, of a longitudinally :noi able piston element, which t*lt-FTlEI1t;, together provide an explosion rhanlber. and means for introducing an explosive into said (Xplosion chamber and igniting the same. one element being formed with a cam slot and the other being provided with a follower which moves in said cam slot whereby the longitudinal movement of the piston element imparts a rotating movement to the cylinder elementya starting shaft arrai'ig ed within said explosion chamber, the extremity of which is suitably formed to be engaged by a eranlt, the head. of the piston being formed with a removable part by means of which access may be had to the starting shaft, and means for engaging the starting shaft with said cylinder element and for disengaging the same when power applied to said shaft.

7 5. The combination with the shaft of an engine provided with a clutch member, of starting mechanism comprisin a starting shaft. a clutch member longitudinally movable on said startin shaft, a rotatable cylinder. a cylindrical piston which telescopes over said cylinder, the piston and cylinder providing together an explosion chamber, means for introducing an explosive into said chamber, means for igniting the same, a spring secured to said piston element so as to be put under tension by the outward movement of the piston when the explosion takes place, a chitch between the cylinder and said starting shaft, intersectin spiral camways formed on said cylinder, a ollower on the piston adapted to move in said camways, a spring which tends to force the movable clutch member on the starting shaft into engagement with the clutch on the en gine shaft, a lever, one end of which bears against the movable clutch member and the other upon the piston so to hold said clutch members separate when the piston is in its inner position but permit them to engage when the piston moved outwardly, a. removable plug in the head of the piston which bears against the starting shaft so as to hold the piston a trifle away from its inmost position, the outer end of said starting shaft being suitably formed for a crank, and the piston being formed with a slot adapted to'receive the engaging end of said lever when the piston moves to its inmost position upon the removal of said plug, substantially as described.

6. The combination with an engine shaft, of starting mechanism for the same comprising a rotatable element, a longitudinally movable element, means for imparting move ment in one direction to the longitudinally movable element, a spring which moves said longitudinally movaliil element in the oppo site direction, one of said elements being formed with'a eamway and the other with a follower wheriby the reri-iprocating longitudinal movements of one of said elements impart rotational movement in one direction to the other of said elements, and means operated by the movement of one of said elements for connecting and disconnecting the rotatable element, to said engine shaft.

7. The combination with an engine shaft, of starting mechanism for the same comprising a rotatable cylinder element, a longitudinally movable piston element. which elements together provide an explosion chanr ber means for introducing an explosive into said explosion nhanilni r, means for igniting same, one element being formed of a cam slot, and the other being provided with a follower which moves in said cam slot whereby the longitudinal movement of the piston element imparts a rotating movement to the cylinder element, a spring against the tension of which the explosion takes place, and means operated by the movement of one of said elements for connecting and disconnecting the cylinder element to said engine shaft.

8. The combination with an engine shaft, of starting mechanism for the same compris ing a rotatable element, a longitudinally movable element, one of said elements being formed with a camwav and the other with a followerwhereby reciprocating movements of said longitudinal element impart rotational movement in one direction to said rotatable element, means operated by the movement of one of said elements for connecting and disconnecting the rotatable element to said engine shaft, said starting mechanism being constructed so as to provide an explosion chamber back of said longitudinally movable element, means for introducing an explosive fluid into said chamber, means for igniting the same so as to produce an explo sion which gives the longitudinally movable element its out-stroke, and resilient means which returns the longitudinally movable element to its original position and cushions the same on the out-stroke.

9. The combination with an engine shaft,

of starting mechanism for the same comprising a stationary member, a rotatable element, a longitudinally movable element, one of said elements being formed with a cam" way and the other with a follower whereby the reciprocating longitudinal movements of one of said elements impart rotational movement in one direction to said rotatable element, a spring having one end attached to said stationary member and the other end to the longitudinally movable element to return the latter element'to its normal position and to cushion the shock of one element against the other, and means operated by the movement' of one of said elements for connecting and disconnectingthe rotatable element to I said "he shaft; is

10. e combination with an engine shaft, of starting mechanism for the same comprising' a stationa member, a rotatable element, a longitu inally movable element, one of saideleme'nts being formed with a camway and the other with a follower whereby the reciprocating longitudinal movements of one of said elements impart rotational movement inone direction to said rotatable element, a eoiled spring around said longitudinally movable element attached at one end thereto and at the other to said stationary member to return said longitudinally'finovable element to its normal position and to cushion the shock of one of said elements against, the other, and means operated by the movement of one of said elements for connecting and disconnecting the rotatable element to said en 'ne shaft.

LE IS 0. VAN RIPER. Witnesses:

L. A. Fnmnmzo, G. Y. SKINNER.

Correct-lone in Letters Patent No. 1,104,081;

ment of one of said elements for. eonneeting and disconnectingthe rotatable elementto said 'iie shaftlls.

. 1 0. heoombinat' on with an engine shaft,

of starting mechanism for the same comprismember, a rotatable ele-' 10 the reciprocating longitudinal movements of one of said elements'impart rotational movement inione -d1 r ction to said rotatable ele: merit, a coiled. spring around said longitudiagainst the other, and the movement of one of said elements for 'eonnecting and disconnectingthe rotatable -Witnesses:

ment in Starting Devices for Explosive Engines,

Signed and sealed this 25th day oi Augnst, A. ;D; ,1914.

nally movable element attached at one end thereto and at the other to said stationary member, to return said longitudinally'fifiovable-element to its normal position and to cushion the shock of one of said elements means operated by element to said en 'ne sha ft. LE IS '0. VAN-RIPEB.

L. A. FALKMBERG, G. Y. SKINNER.

It i5 hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,104,087, granted Jul i, 1914, upon the application of Lewis 0. Van Riper, of New York,v N. Y. ,-for an improveerrors appear in the printed specread starting, page 4, lineS, strike out the word and and insert a comma and the.

words mm for," and that the said Letters Patent should beread with these GOfl'GC- J. T. NEWTON, "4cm ommimmr' ofPatmi.

ifioation requiring eorretion as follows; Page l, line 41, for the word strating tion's therein that the vsame may conform to the oi the case in the Patent It i5 hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,104,087, gratified Jul 21,1914,

updn the applicatiqn of Lewis C. Van Riper, of New York, N. Y.,for an improvement in Starting Devices foi' ExplOsiVe -Engines, errqrs upped! in the specificatiori coa motion as follows: Page 1, B11641, for the word strating read atartirzy; page &, line 8, strike out the woi-d arid and insert a 00mm and the words nwanQfgr; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these correction thereih that the same may confo rmibo the 0f the case in the Patent Signed and sealed this 25th day of August, A. D.', 1914.

[smn] J. T. NEWTON,

4cm 0mm rPm. 

